The Artist Project Toronto has been operating for fifteen years. Previous events were very well attended with more participants displaying their creations over a four days period. This year’s event is scaled back slightly with the disappearance of the popular opening night soiree and just 200 artist booths. Artist talks were cancelled this year but replaced by tours. As in the past, local and regional artists are in attendance but not international ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The installation work by Hajer Mustafa displays colourful \u201cseated\u201d clothed figures having plants or flower arrangements nestled in their chests. The idea originated while she was looking at her laundry resting on a chair. For personal inspiration, this vivid presentation invites contemplation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nInstallation by Hajer Mustafa<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blady + Van Mil were formerly architectural model builders. Caused to reconsider their independently made art during the pandemic, the couple have evolved their pieces into three-dimensions, formed by dissecting previously painted artworks and rearranging them in a built form. The resulting representations combine as striking collages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBlady + Van Mil’s booth<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local artist Morgan Sheardown brought his Raining Cows<\/em> <\/a>exhibition to the Artist Project. When asked how the pandemic influenced his last few years, he reflected that anxiety and observation have been ingredients that many artists have long drawn upon for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Morgan Sheardown, Sentiment of colour from the Raining Cows series, mixed media with multi-layered resin, 18 x 18 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lena Kaia\u2019s black and off-white paintings reflect a somber tone. Assuming that this was a pandemic related artist response, I was delighted to learn that Lena’s artistic process began long before the lockdowns. Her desire to uncomplicate when painting led her to narrowing down the colour selection and focusing on the emotional representation. The paintings individually, and as presented, are engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lena Kaia\u2019s booth<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polish-Canadian artist Mirek Bialy, brought numerous paintings inlaid with copper ribbons to the show. Mirek offers a positive commentary on the times, noting how the recent conflict bordering his native homeland dates back centuries. His optimistic artworks reflect his hopeful outlook for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mirek Bialy’s mixed media work<\/p>\n\n\n\n Completing a tour of the Artist Project, it was nice to see some familiar faces and artists who have been part of the community for many years. The show, overall, has retained its flavour for selecting a mixture of emerging and established artists specializing in photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media. Numerous earlier presenters have returned in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The enthusiastic Fashion Art Toronto live runway experience added to the energy of the opening day. Young Canadian designers Meesh and Ayimach staged their creations in two early evening shows to an appreciative audience. Many of us, myself included, haven’t been out much lately. It was good to see what the younger generation are up to. Their innovative, contemporary spirit of design doesn’t seem burdened by the previous two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meesh Fashion Show by Micheline Wedderburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving the Artist Project event to the warm sunny early spring evening reminded me that art, the arts community and life generally continues in its creative walk forward despite, or because of, the times we live in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Text and photo Andrew Colebeck<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n